Bob MacIntyre's Scottish Open 'shadow' is mark of his journey in home event

Bob MacIntyre would have laughed out loud if someone had told him before making his Genesis Scottish Open debut seven years ago that he’d be back at The Renaissance Club one day with a personal security guard.

That’s the treatment star names get, though, in the $9 million Rolex Series event and the Oban man is now in that category along with the likes of world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and second-ranked Rory McIlroy.

Bob MacIntyre speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club | Warren Little/Getty Images

As MacIntyre spoke at a pre-event press conference at The Renaissance Club on Wednesday, his ‘shadow’ for this week stood nearby and, believe me, he’s not someone you would mess around with.

The bulky individual caught this correspondent’s eye on this occasion because, quite frankly, his presence was an indication of the extraordinary journey MacIntyre has been on over the last seven years.

“First time I played here, I struggled to get the ball on the tee,” recalled the Scottish No 1 of finding himself in the same group as McIlroy and Rickie Fowler for his debut in this event at the same venue in 2019. “I don't mind getting thrown in the deep end, but that one, it was something that I thought I had to do, and it was a massive learning curve.”

Though by no means disgracing himself as he shot rounds of 68-70, the left-hander missed the cut in a low-scoring event yet went on to be crowned as the DP World Tour Rookie of the Year a few months later in Dubai.

It’s been onwards and upwards ever since and, having claimed the Genesis Scottish Open crown in spectacular style in 2024 as he holed birdie putt across the 18th green in the final round - having been pipped by a birdie-birdie finish from McIlroy 12 months earlier - his name will forever be synonymous with the tournament.

He’s back out with McIlroy again in another of the marquee groups for the opening two rounds in this edition, with Chris Gotterup, the defending champion, making it a get-together of the last three winners on Scotland’s Golf Coast.

“Now it just feels like another round of golf,” admitted McIntyre of being the company of McIlroy in particular, though Gotterup as well given that the American is now up to seventh in the world after winning three times already on the PGA Tour this year.”

Smiling, the Scot added: “Only problem is I'm going to be hitting in first all day with the two of them because they both hit it miles. No, look, it will be good fun. I enjoy both of their company. So yeah, good group.”

Bob MacIntyre signs autographs for fans during the Genesis Scottish Open Pro-Am | Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Since his triumph here, MacIntyre has often talked about how only winning The Open would top that week before it was put to him that he’d enjoy becoming a repeat Genesis Scottish Open champion and partner Shannon being there to meet him at the back of the 18th green with their son Findlay, who was born in January. “Yeah, I didn't think about that one,” he admitted, laughing.

No matter where his next win comes, the 29-year-old is going to enjoy it to the full once again. “The celebration I had here with my friends and family and some of the Scottish Open staff was one of the best nights I’ve had,” he recalled of the win three years ago. “It was so special. Yeah, I'm someone that has to celebrate the wins because they don't happen as often as some others!”